The value and importance of being self-supporting as a mission organization came to my attention while my husband and I were working on the 2005 GC session report for our division, the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division.

The concept of stewardship began in Eden as a responsibility assigned to Adam and Eve. It is expressed by the Hebrew word radah (Gen. 1:26, 28). The New Testament uses the Greek word oikonomía (Lk. 16:2), translated as “stewardship.”

I love the way my German friends use the English language. Sometimes they’ll say they are “making an experience” instead of “having an experience.” It articulates a more active than passive attitude. This has often given me pause to consider what part we play in the way our lives play out.